The Surrey County Council cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including approving additional investment in services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), reviewing progress on adult social care improvements, and addressing financial challenges. The cabinet also noted updates on local government reorganisation and approved a response to the government's consultation on the matter.

SEND Service Improvement

The cabinet approved an additional £4.9 million investment in the SEND service to expand and restructure it to better meet the needs of children and families in Surrey. This investment aims to improve communication with families and schools, increase the number of permanent case officers from 81 to 111, and reduce caseloads per officer from over 200 to under 150. A new team will focus exclusively on 20-week needs assessments for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)¹, and another team will focus on tribunals, mediation, and dispute resolution. The Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee endorsed the funding request but raised concerns about measurable outcomes and timelines. Councillor Fiona Davidson, Chair of the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Select Committee, noted that previous funding had not clearly achieved promised improvements beyond EHCP timeliness and that many backlog EHCPs were not fit for purpose. The committee requested specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives for the new funding. Councillor Jonathan Hulley, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, committed to providing a written response to the committee's recommendations in September and to providing regular progress updates.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan

The cabinet noted progress against areas for improvement identified in the Adult Social Care Operations and Commissioning CQC assurance process, as well as the CQC reablement rating and the CQC In-House Services report. Councillor Sinead Mooney, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, highlighted the positive CQC rating received in November 2024, which emphasised the council's work in supporting independent living and person-centred approaches. The cabinet endorsed the Adult Social Care operation and commissioning CQC improvement plan, which addresses timeliness of assessments, safeguarding cases, deprivation of liberty safeguards, and support for unpaid carers.

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

The cabinet received an update on preparations for Surrey's devolution and LGR programme and approved a drafted response to the government's consultation on LGR in Surrey. The response, jointly submitted by Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, and Mole Valley District Council, outlines the councils' position on the three unitary proposal and advocates for a two unitary model. The cabinet also noted the latest developments on the three proposed Neighbourhood Area Committee pilots in Caterham and Warlingham, Cobham and Esher, and Dorking and Villages.

The consultation response highlights concerns about the three unitary proposal's financial sustainability, unequal distribution of resources, and potential fragmentation of services. It argues that the two unitary model offers a more balanced and efficient approach to local government reorganisation in Surrey.

2025/26 Financial Report

The cabinet approved an increase in the net revenue budget to £1,274.6 million due to additional funding from the Final Local Government Finance Settlement and the Public Health Grant. However, a £3.6 million forecast overspend was noted, mainly in land and property and community protection and emergencies. Councillor David Lewis, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, emphasised the need for directorates to implement mitigating actions to bring expenditure back within budget.

The cabinet also approved a reset of the capital budget for 2025/26 to £346.5 million, including an increase of £4.1 million for highways maintenance and the Surrey Quality Bus Corridor Improvement. Additionally, £4.05 million was allocated from the Your Fund Surrey capital allocation to extend the small fund scheme, allocating £50,000 to each councillor.

Councillor Lewis also highlighted challenges related to the Dedicated Schools Grant, with a forecast in-year deficit of £79.8 million against a budget of £44 million. Despite significant investment in SEN specialist places, demand continues to be high, and costs are rising.

Other Matters

• The cabinet noted decisions taken since the last meeting, including those related to school places and a Your Fund Surrey application.
• Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, provided an update on various initiatives, including mental health projects, joint strategic needs assessments, and welfare support. He also showcased a video by the Sunnybank Trust to help GPs understand how they could actually work with the learning disability community.
• The cabinet responded to a report from the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee on aviation matters, agreeing to provide an annual report to the committee and address concerns related to Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Farnborough Airport.
• The cabinet agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.
• There were no questions from members or the public, and no petitions were received.
• The meeting concluded with a wish for a happy summer holiday.